With the never ending growth of new music and electronic festivals, there is a demand to make them bigger and better. This year the AVA (Audio Visual Arts) Festival in Belfast, Ireland has done just that – moving up in the ranks from a one-day event into a full weekend experience. With it's cemented place as Belfast's leading electronic music event, this one is an essential date in the underground calendar for all house and techno heads. Heading up its third year, AVA is taking place on the 2nd to 3rd June 2017 – with an absolutely phenomenal lineup.
The move from a one-day event to a weekend will see a change up. Friday is a conference day with full information coming in the following weeks. Think of it as techno classrooms – speakers, teachers and panels. Although the educators are yet to be revealed, last year saw the likes of Bicep and Dave Haslam – so knowledge thirsty revelers this year can be sure this will not be a disappointment. The evening events sees Jeff Mills and Guillaume Marmin with their 'Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind' sensory overload show, as well as dutch artist Fatima Yamaha's debut Northern Ireland performance. You can expect some Irish home heros as well, in the form of Bobby Analog, Inside Moves and Swoose and Cromby to name but a few.
Saturday will follow in style. International DJ's, live acts, coming producers as well as the coveted Boiler Room are what you'll find in this follow on from Friday. Heading up the T13 Docks with his lovingly curated sets will be Marcel Dettman, as well as Midland and back again are the Belfast boys BICEP. If this wasn't enough, heading up the Boiler Room will be another local boy Ejeca, with the Scottish superstar Denis Sulta . These are just the big names you'll find at AVA – expect sets from other crews including Misfit and Subject DJs, Clockwork and Kapoor. 
Flights from all major UK / EU airports are bank balance friendly, currently standing at around £25 for a weekend return from London. Accommodation options are plentiful too – with a range of hotels, hostels, Air BnB’s and more all in easy travel distance of the T13 Titanic Docks site. With weekend tickets at around the £60 mark, it’s a festival with amazing value for money.
AVA will take place on the 2nd & 3rd June 2017 at T13, Titanic Quarter – Belfast Tier 2 Weekend tickets are on sale now from £60 (flight & accommodation info can also be found) on the AVA website HERE
